Half to alexander anderson scott



(No Model.)

' J. B. DAVIS.

GAR COUPLING.

N0.550,340. I Patented'Ndv.26, 1895.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH BROOKS DAVIS, OF KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- I-IALF TO ALEXANDER ANDERSON SCOTT, OF SAME PLACE.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 550,340, dated November 26, 1895.

Application filed August1'7, 1895. "Serial No. 559,646. (No model.)

To all whom it nay concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH BROOKS DAVIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Knoxville, in the county of Knox and State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oar-Couplers, of

which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in car-couplers, and has for its object to provide a device that will automatically couple the cars, and will at the same time effectually prevent their accidental uncoupling.

A further object of my invention is to reduce to a minimum the number of parts required to perform the work, thus decreasing the liability ofthe device becoming inoperative and at the same time cheapening the cost of manufacture.

These objects I accomplish in the manner and by the means hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of a draw-head, showing the coupling-link in position to enter the same. Fig. 2 is a simi lar view showing the link part way in. Fig. 3 is a similar View showing the link coupled here in.

In the said drawings the numeral 1 denotes the draw-head of a car, which may be connected thereto in any suitable manner, and which is provided with the flaring mouth, as usual. lVithin said draw-head there is located the longitudinally-movable block 2, recessed along a portion of its top surface, as shown, and having its front end slightly bev eled or inclined upwardly and inwardly. This block is normally projected to its forward position by the spring 3. A pin 5, fastened to said block, passes through a longitudinal slot 6 in the bottom of the draw-head, and has fastened thereto a cord or chain 7 for retracting said pin and block against the tension of the spring 3,when desired, and also limits the forward movement of the block. The upper inner face of the draw-head is also provided with a recess 8, as shown, for a purpose hereinafter to be described.

The coupling bar or link I employ is of the shape shown, consisting of the longitudinal portion 9 with its ends rounded, and provided with the inwardly-facing shoulders 10 on its top side.

From the above description the operation of my device will be understood to be as follows: 'When it is desired to couple up two cars, they are brought together, the link being carried by one of the draw-heads, and as its free rounded end impinges against the sliding block 2 it forces the same back against the pressure of the spring 3 until the shoulder' 10 thereof passes beyond the outer edge of the recess 8 in the draw-head, whereupon the end of the link will, by reason of the inclined face of the block 2, at once slip up into said recess 8, and as there is provided suffi-- cient room for the accommodation of the body of the linkbetween the under side of the drawhead opening and the top of the block 2 the said block will be at once forced forward again, thus firmly retaining the link against accidental disengagement from the draw head, as shown in Fig. 3. Now when it is desired to uncouple the cars it is only necessary to retract the block '2 by means of the pin 5 and cord or chain '7, whereupon the link will drop'of its own weight from engagement in the recess 8 and can be readily withdrawn.

By means of the aperture 4 in the drawhead it may, if desired, be used with the ordinary link and pin. (See Fig. 1.)

In my drawings and description I have only shown one draw-head; but it will be readily understood that the link is coupled at its other end in the same manner to the drawhead of the adjacent car.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a car coupler, the combination with a draw head having a recess in its upper surface, and a spring pressed block in said draw head resting upon the bottom of said draw head and normally projected beyond said recess, of a coupling link having shouldered ends and adapted to force said block back far enough to permit its entrance into said recess, the said block passing forward again beneath the link to retain it in'said recess, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a car coupler, the combination with a draw head having a recess in its inner upper surface, a spring pressed block in said draw head resting upon the bottom of said draw said block moving forward again to retain head and recessed on its front top surface and said link in its engaged position, substan- 1o havinglits outer end beveled upg ardly and tially as shown and described. inward y, and a in rojectin t rou h the r 3 1 5 bottom of the dr aw fear]. for l z etractin said JOSEPH BOOKS DAVLS block, of a link having shouldered ends and \Vitnesses: adapted to press back the block and engage J. WV. CALDWELL, in the angular recess in the draw head, the DAVID T. MOMILLAN. 

